Match-holder



L. J. JOHNSON.

Match Safe.

Patented July 2, 186

No. 32,735.v

74 27 165 se Inveiz%0r,-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD J. JOHNSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELFAND JAS. E. OWENS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MATCH-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,735, dated July 2, 1861.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD J. JoHNsoN, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Pocket Match-Boxes; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full and exact description of the same, which I haveprepared with a view to the obtaining of Letters Patent therefor, andthat the same is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification.

My invention consists in having a port-able box or case similar to avisiting card case, provided internally with certain mechanism so formedand arranged that when the case or box is supplied with matches disposedwithin it in a certain way a match may, by raising or pulling up the capor lid be withdrawn from the box or case in an ignited state ready foruse, without in any way exposing the matches within the box or case todampness or accidental ignition; thereby affording safety in thecarrying of matches in the pocket and giving certainty in the use of thematch.

The principle upon which my improvement consists is this, that Iconstruct on the interior part of the box or case a holder for matcheswith two metallic sheet spring clamp plates of an elliptic form,intercepted by a rigid sheet plate, coated with emery on each side, orhaving sandpaper attached thereon by adhesive substances. The springclamps are intended to press the matches against the center plate andthere retain them until withdrawn for use and to com pel the match torub on the emery or said paper (as the case may be) to ignite it, whenwithdrawn from the holder, when matches are desired for use. When thematches are to be arranged in the holder, the holder is to be withdrawnor detached from the box or case (as shown in Figs. 2 and 3); thematches are then placed invertedly in the holder at the ends. When theholder receives its complement of matches it is then forced back intothe case at bottom, and there retained by the spring clamps so that itformsa bottom flush with the sides of the box or case with a slight rimon one side for the fingers to withdraw or detach same from the box,when said box requires replenishing with matches. The box or case has ahinged cap or lid, to preserve the matches from exposure and dampness.

To enable others skilled in the manufacturing of match boxes to make anduse my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction andoperation, reference being had to the annexed drawings making parthereof, and to the letters of reference marked thereon in which Figure 1is a perspective view of the box or case, showing parts or ends ofmatches in the holder with cap lifted. Figs. 2 and 3 are detached parts.Figs is a sectional view of the match holder.

A is the box or case with top R.

B is the match holder detached or withdrawn from A (Figs. 2 and 3)showing the ellipetic spring clamps c, 0 with intercepting plate clcoated with emery shown at p. In the sectional view of the holder B Fig.4 shows the manner matches are arranged and the manner they are retainedin the holder against the center plate d by the clamps c 0, as shall behereinafter more fully described.

Operation: WVhen the box or case requires matches withdraw the holder Bfrom bottom of A, then arrange the matches invertedly in at the ends ofB between the clamps c c and center plate cl. W'hen said holder receivesits complement of matches replace or force the holder B in at the bottomof A again keeping of course the cap or top R down tight in its place.When the matches are desired for use pull up the top or lid It (in amanner shown in Fig. l) and take hold of a match between thumb andfinger and withdraw same quickly and by the spring clamps c c pressingthe match tightly against the side of the center plate cl compels thematch as it is being withdrawn, to rub against the emery on d therebycausing immediate ignition to the match on the moment it separates fromthe holder B.

By this improvement, I produce a match box for the pocket superior toany now in use either in point of safety, economy or cheapness and witha certainty of the matches igniting (if good ones) the moment they areseparated from the box. 7

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new therein,and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The match holder B withelliptic sheet spring clamps 0 0 for retaining the matches in place andcompelling them to rub against a center plate d, With emery 0r sandpaperor their equivalents attached thereon, for the purpose of causingignition to the match When Withdrawn from the same, the Whole beingarranged Within and connected to the box or case A in a mannersubstantially as, and for the purposes 10 specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand.

LEONARD J. JOHNSON.

Witnesses JAMES MGCAHEN, ALFRED D. BRICK.

